Sources: Dolphins' Linehan emerges as Rams leader

Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Scott Linehan has emerged as the favorite to land the head coaching job for the St. Louis Rams, league and team sources have told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Linehan is not a lock for the job, Mortensen reported Saturday, but he had an impressive interview this week and the Rams are doing more research on the 42-year-old assistant who served previously as the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator.

The Rams initially expected to hire a coach with a defensive background but were disappointed when Gregg Williams signed a lucrative extension to remain with the Washington Redskins. Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera remains in the hunt after the Rams tried unsuccessfully to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who opted to remain in Tampa.

It now seems more likely the Rams will hire a coach from the offensive side of the football, the sources said, but that there is no imminent hiring on the docket.